Why don't we like Microsoft ?
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| Author | Content |
|---|---|
| nmset Jan 22, 2015 1:45 PM EDT |
It could be the subject of an essay in sociology, economy, politics or what else. I still don't have a one minute short answer if anyone questions me thus, something that would strike the mind enough for somebody to ponder : "Hey, that's true, I should look for the better !". Any suggestions ? |
| NoDough Jan 22, 2015 1:52 PM EDT |
Because for the last 25 years, I've been the poor schmuck tasked with making their software work, and keeping it working. |
| seatex Jan 22, 2015 3:25 PM EDT |
NSA Inside, and Windows lack of reliability and security in general. Oh yeah, and Vista and Windows 8 (Vista II) didn't help much either. |
| Ridcully Jan 22, 2015 4:50 PM EDT |
Think Linux.....just works, no viruses, does what YOU want, doesn't require rebooting every five minutes, highly stable, "all the software you can eat", the real feeling that you are "safe" when browsing or receiving emails. Think Microsoft.......has to be immediately hedged with other protection software before you can use it effectively on the internet, all the schmuckware removed before it will work properly, unstable, "you moved the mouse, I need to reboot", "all the software you can afford to pay for", the feeling that at any moment, the OS is gonna collapse through infection or instability or whatever with the famous BSOD, and last but not least, the OS does what MICROSOFT and the media moguls want - your wishes are irrelevant. I always think of the new car purchase. Linuxmobile (think Android or Chrome), you just drive away happily and explore the world. Microcar.....well, it will run, but first it needs to be fitted with wheels, brakes, new gear box, the rubbish in the boot removed, new seats and a steering wheel, then it may start, but will immediately misfire and you need to take it in for an instant tuneup and possible engine replacement.......it will then allow you to explore, but may throw a tyre at any moment and always remember that most of the controls will probably only work properly for 24 hours or so...oh yes - and over that 24 hours or so, the car's top speed will steadily reduce until the vehicle moves only at a crawl.....I suspect that motoring concept is finally reaching the minds of the consumers. |
| notbob Jan 22, 2015 5:57 PM EDT |
> I still don't have a one minute short answer..... I do. It affords me the freedom to choose what I wish and to exert the most control over that choice. |
| gus3 Jan 22, 2015 7:54 PM EDT |
The first time I got a working Linux boot, and logged in, all I could think was, "Wow, I'm running a mainframe OS on my PC!" |
| Ridcully Jan 22, 2015 9:28 PM EDT |
Sorry nmset, I just tried out what I wrote........I can say it in 1 minute 15 seconds. But it was so satisfying to write. |
| nmset Jan 23, 2015 6:39 AM EDT |
I tend to tell people that desktop Linux costs little or nothing, but now that Windows costs virtually nothing with a plethora of common free productivity applications available, this argument doesn't hold. It's easy to push forth the security argument with respect to virus, more difficult to explain technological superiority (there's no BSOD anymore). And people don't care about open source. Off topic, just a note : I think desktop Linux will have a hard time with Windows 10, as its bundled OEM cost is becoming transparently minimal and companies will be happy to migrate to a friendly Windows running their specialized apps. Moreover, we are seeing many cheap tablets with Windows 8.1, given away at no cost for screen sizes less than 9 inches. Microsoft seems willing to cut on its revenu streams, quite surprising to me, how long will it last ! |
| Ridcully Jan 23, 2015 8:30 AM EDT |
Interesting points nmset and thankyou. At the moment, I'd guess Microsoft is pretty desperate to break into the smartphone market, but from all accounts I am getting, it's "no dice" as far as the kids are concerned, and usually with adults as well. I'm now getting stories where dedicated Win-users of many years are throwing their Winphones away and moving to Android and then becoming amazed and delighted at how much better the equipment and software is. Android rules OK !! You can give Win10 away, but it's still Windows, not Android and right there is the problem. Oh sure, people don't care about open source, but they most certainly DO care about the fact that Android just works, and works, and works. And of course, Chrome is similar in that respect. As a proprietary profit making company, I'd say Redmond is on thin ice if it continues to simply give its OS away. It has huge reserves, but it cannot just continue "cash out"......there must also be "cash in". Microsoft is giving its OS away with only one aim: to try to break Android's strangle hold on the market place. Personally, I don't think it will win. Business will take up Win10 I am sure.......presumably because of backward compatability with specialised software, but the individual is no longer tied to Windows and Microsoft knows it. It's of interest to note that SJVN predicts Chrome will not only rule the laptop area but also the desktop area by 2017. We'll see.....but there's no doubt we live in interesting times. Me ? I'll stay with pure Linux and probably in the form of openSUSE......but I am toying with the idea of Linux Mint. |
| CFWhitman Jan 23, 2015 12:20 PM EDT |
Why don't I like Microsoft? I would say because they're always trying to get me to do everything their way instead of empowering me to do it mine. I don't know how well this would explain things to a non-technical person though. Lately it seems like every time I have to use a Windows computer it feels very slow, like it takes forever to do anything. The one that seems to work the best is the Windows 8.1 install on the second hard drive on my desktop at home, but I don't use that much. On the other hand, Linux feels fast even when I use it on six or more year old hardware. Other people who use my computers seem to be starting to get the same impression. |
| cmost Jan 24, 2015 4:48 PM EDT |
I don't like Microsoft because I think their software stinks. For example, Office 2013 is full of bugs and regressions that didn't exist in previous versions. Further, even different parts of Office are inconsistent in how they function versus other parts (PowerPoint vs. Word vs. Publisher is one glaring example.) Additionally, I think I can honestly say that I probably spend more time undoing Office's auto-formatting (or just plain boneheaded formatting) or trying to figure out why something unexpected happened than I do being productive with it. Why does Microsoft have to muck around with the stupid ribbon with every release? Just when you think you know where things are, they're either removed, or moved around. It took me literally 45 minutes of Googling to revert all of the stupid decisions made for the default settings of Outlook 2013 so that it resembled the more sane default settings of Outlook 2010. Windows is also horrible, especially with the 8/8.1 iterations. What was wrong with the conventional desktop paradigm (the same can be said of Gnome 3 and Unity for that matter.) It only worked fine for 20 years (since Windows 95 introduced it.) |
| jsusanka Jan 24, 2015 4:55 PM EDT |
I don't like Microsoft because they are an illegal monopoly and they charge outrageous amounts of money for software that is a pile of junk. |
| Ridcully Jan 24, 2015 11:45 PM EDT |
Tsk, tsk jsusanka.....how CAN you say such things ? And about such an ethical and morally upright firm too; mirrored on Bill Gates whom as we know, the Brits have bestowed an honorary knighthood. Jsusanka, I am surprised at you. Don't you know that Windows always just works, it never tries to dominate your use of the computer, it has high instant security without any other software required, and best of all, it allows you to play any music or films you want.....Isn't that lovely ? Hmmmm ? Quickly retreats stage left.....before tomatoes hit and also with loud laughter. I just hadda add this: "Isn't that lovely ? Hmmmm ?" comes from one of my favourite cartoon characters: Marvin (the Martian)......Oh well, back to the old drawing board. |
| seatex Jan 25, 2015 1:23 AM EDT |
Another reason I don't like like Microsoft. They put this guy in charge... |
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